Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-08-24
Bl0RNS0N ON RUSSIA.
The Two Rising Nations--He Will Corn
tn Amersce

The Two Rising Nations-He Will Come
TO America.
A Paris correspondent thus describes
e recent visit to the Norwegian poet,
Bjornson, who is now in the French
capital:
AN interesting visit was call upon
Blorhson, the Norwegian poet, who has
Parlslan house where he spends his
winters. The fine physiqae ana massive
head OF the poet give hlm an impressive
presence even when his face ls turned
away, but when hlp strong features are
presented he ls u study for the artist
seeking model for tue heroic. Mr..
Bjornson spears English and French
Very Well, but he writes only in his mas
tive language. He remembered his,
sisit to Ameriea seven years ago, and
says he expects TO visit the northwest
where there are 80 maay OF his country
men, III few years. There Is no country
ior which he expresses 80 warm
u feeling as Amefica. He regards
America and Russia as the only growing
powers " this time. ALI other nations
are struggling 60 hold their own, bat.
these two great powers are rapidly
growing, the latter IN way to threaten
The peace OF all Europe. Russia is the
great danger 20 Europe he said. She
is threatening the whole world with her
growth, aud were 1 an American should
encourage my country to unite With
western Europe against Russia. 1t will
not do for strong, growing power like
America to encourage snoh dangerous
rival as the strongest government Of the
Old world promises to become. Your
country cannot afford to do this. Let
Russia dominate Europe and Asia and
she will threaten America"
.Bnt Russia WAS the best friend OF
the union In our late civil war, aud the
United States can not afford TO allow
any nation TO be her creditor for sneh
service and iriendsbip."
Yes 1 know, Russia is what you
you'd call loDg heaGs3. The czar knew
where 10 place his friendship. He and
ms council had The opportunity to
place the United States IN Ruse,a's debt
and they aidis. They were looking to
ths future. Iney were FAIRS GIFTED wben
| they gave sympathy aud aid to the
Unlon. They saw that the Union mAst
be preserved, that the north would cor
quer, and they gave their friendship tL
the victor. But Russia is the great
danger. and America skcEld nethllow
her gratitude Tor past services to stand
IN the way of her judgment, and 81 conr-
age such q danger TO the civilization oi
the whole world"
| Do you think of the danger to your
own country is greater than the rest ol
Enrope?"
| ''No. Russia does not care 80 much
for Norway and Sweden. She cannot
afford to take possession of the peninau.
la with its long sea board at present.
4 She would have to concentrate hun
dred thousand men there to protect it
The cost is too great. Russia will moi
disturb my own country in the immedi-
ate future. Hshe wishes to send he
1 feet to the Atlantic che can do SO by
the north where the sea is open the
greater part Of the year, and not expose
herself to the danger of long ooas'
line for England, France and Germany
to attack. Russia is best protected iron
the powers by the present geographical
lines in Europe Norway and Sweedel
are protection without being men
/ ace;'
When the old poet becomes excited
his search for words IN the English
language to express his ideas add in-
pressiyeness to his speech rather thar
awkwardness or ambiguity. His fac,
is e study in its earnestnees, and hi
manner adds emphasis to the language
Il he uses